Youth Participation in the UNFCCC Negotiations
In preparation for the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the fifth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP), the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative on Children, Youth and Climate Change released a brochure “Growing Together in a Changing Climate: The United Nations, Young People, and Climate Change,” which contained information on some of the many climate change initiatives - projects, campaigns, educational tools, websites and publications - produced by the United Nations and young people. They ranged from global initiatives raising awareness for combating climate change to advocacy efforts at the UNFCCC negotiations.

As a follow-up to this publication, the United Nations Joint Framework Initiative is now releasing “Youth participation in the UNFCCC negotiation process.” This publication aims to inform governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and young people on how youth participation has taken place at sessions of the UNFCCC starting with COP 5, highlighting increased efforts by young people to advocate for effective solutions to tackle climate change. For governments, it is intended as a guide to better understanding of young people’s involvement in the UNFCCC negotiation process. For the United Nations family, it is intended as a means of sharing information and best practices on how young people participate in international policy making processes. For the public at large, it provides inspiration and assurance of the commitment by young people to achieve a more sustainable world.

The information presented here was gathered through a series of interviews with government delegates, United Nations officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations and young people . The responses received were reviewed and complemented with information readily available from public sources, such as websites and publications.